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Posted on: August 25, 2017

Hurricane Harvey Update 8/25

Hurricane Harvey has been upgraded to a category 2 storm by the TDEM Texas State Operations Center. It is likely Harvey will be upgraded to a category 3 before landfall, around midnight this evening. Increased rain and wind is expected to arrive by Friday evening and to intensify through the weekend.

Harvey is expected to remain a tropical storm once inland and could produce tropical storm weather through Wednesday. Tropical storm force winds may extend as far as 140 miles from the center of the storm. Winds may extend up to the temple area and high rainfall as far as just east and west of the DFW area.

The rainfall is being characterized by the Operations Center as potentially devastating and life threatening and could be at record levels. They advise the public to beware of rapidly developing flash flood and record flooding conditions, at noonFriday east and south of Walker County.

The City of Huntsville urges residents to be prepared as the storm may intensify rapidly. Flooding poses the largest threat to Huntsville, do not drive through floodwaters and be cautious if walking in it. Rotation as rain bands approach the coast is also making tornadoes possible during the weekend.

Storm surge along the coast from Port Mansfield to High Island. The surge could be as high as 6-12 feet from Padre Island to Sargent.

The Walker County Storm Shelter and Huntsville High School will begin taking evacuees from southern counties today.

The Walker County Storm Shelter is located at 455 State Highway 75 N, Huntsville, Texas 77320. Huntsville High School is located at 515 Farm to Market Road 2821, Huntsville, TX 77320. These shelters combined will hold 1,200 evacuees. For more information on the shelters, please call 936-435-8035.

Local residents needing assistance throughout Harvey are urged to use the phone numbers below:

State agencies and statewide human services organizations are activating teams and services to continue preparations and move resources. Walker County Emergency Manager Butch Davis said their Emergency Operations Center is being staffed continuously since 7 a.m. today. The Walker County Emergency Operations Center is at Level 1, Maximum Readiness.